China’s Economy Bursts Out of the Gate — but Will It Last?

Ning Jizhe, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, said earlier this month he believes China's economy will continue to be better off as positive factors will keep supporting growth. Above, a worker welds steel at a Pengfei Group plant in Haian, Jiangsu province, on Aug. 23. Photo: IC

(Beijing) — China’s economy started with a bang in the first quarter, with gross domestic product growth picking up to 6.9% and major economic indicators posting across-the-board improvements. But how long can it last?

The growth rate, which beat the median estimate of 6.8% in a Caixin survey of 10 economists, restores China’s expansion to the same pace as the third quarter of 2015. It also got the economy off to a good start to exceed the government’s full-year target of around 6.5%.